EMPLOYMENT RECORD

Researcher/adviser (note: during the period Aug-Dec 2004 I was also employed at the University of Twente on part-time basis (20%), next to main employment at WL| Delft Hydraulics)

2000-2002

Leave due to maternity

1996-1999

Utrecht University, Department of Physical Geography.

Assistant professor (1999)

Postdoctoral position (1996-1998/99, variable appointments, 50%-100%)

1998-1999

Stationed at Twente University, Faculty of Technology and Management.

Postdoctoral position (stationed on part-time basis (20%)).

1996-1998

Oregon State University, College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences.

Postdoctoral position (part-time, 50%)

1990-1995

Utrecht University, Department of Physical Geography.

Junior scientist

EDUCATION

PhD Geographical Sciences, Utrecht University, 1995

MSc Physical Geography, Utrecht University, 1990

RESEARCH

Research interestsCoastal morphodynamics, coastal monitoring and video remote sensing, the natural coastal system and its response to human intervention.

Current research

ShoreScape: sustainable co-evolution of the natural and built environment along sandy shores. (2017-2022): The land-sea interface is a very attractive location for humans to settle. In the case of low lying, sedimentary coastlines this can be a risky location, as these shorelines are inherently dynamic in nature. Accelerating rates of relative sea level rise will increase coastal erosion, creating world-wide growing demands for coastal protection along urbanized shores. Central notion to this project is that the key to sustainably adapt to this situation is to be found in smart, pro-active sediment management using ‘building-with-nature’ approaches, rather than in traditional reactive approaches involving expansion of static, hard coastal defense structures. The ShoreScape project therefore aims to develop knowledge, tools and design principles for dynamic occupation of the land-sea interface, to enhance ‘building-with-nature’ processes and exploit its potential for the spatial development of multi-functional coastal environments – shorescape.

ShoreScape is a joint research effort with the Urbanism department of Delft University of Technology. University of Twente focusses on the modelling of coastal landscape evolution at the land-sea interface including the built environment. It includes a project on understanding and modelling sediment dynamics in coastal built environments (1 PhD, position filled) and a project on airflow patterns across various building typologies (1 postdoc position vacancy, opening soon). Delft University focusses on designing adaptive coastal built environments (1 PhD, position filled). I am overall project leader, as well project leader of the University of Twente contribution. Further project partners are Deltares, Wageningen Marine Research, Witteveen+Bos, H+N+S Landscape architects. The project is funded by the National Science Foundation NWO in collaboration with the national ‘Topconsortium Knowledge and Innovation in Delta Technology’ and co-funded by Rijkswaterstaat and Hoogheemraadscap Hollands Noorderkwartier.

CoCoChannel: Co-designing Coasts using Natural Channel-shoal dynamics. (2014-2019): The CoCoChannel project aims at developing the knowledge and tools needed for innovative solutions to erosion problems along shorelines near tidal inlets; more specifically, Building-with-Nature type interventions such as triggering or stimulating shoal attachment through dredging or dumping of sediment at smart locations on the ebb-delta. Implementing such an innovative concept requires early interaction with stakeholders and coastal communities, not only to obtain their support but also to collaboratively improve the design of the intervention. Thus, the eventual design of these innovative interventions can be regarded as the product of a network of scientists, engineers and other stakeholders, and their social dynamics. CoCoChannel is a joint research effort in which our group joined forces with UNESCO-IHE, Delft University of Technology, DELTARES and IMARES. In addition to increasing the knowledge on channel-shoal dynamics of ebb-deltas (sub-project 1, 1 PhD at UNESCO-IHE) and the related impact on the adjacent beach-dune system (sub-project 2, 1 PhD at University of Twente), the project also aims at assessing the role of system understanding in the process of co-designing such Building-with-Nature type interventions with stakeholders (sub-project 3, 1 PhD at Delft University of Technology). I am overall project leader, as well project leader of sub-project 2. Funded by National Science Foundation NWO (thematic call ‘Building with Nature’, defined in collaboration with the national ‘Topconsortium Knowledge and Innovation in Delta Technology’) .

NatureCoast:Nature-driven nourishment of coastal systems. (2012-2017): In 2011 a huge shore nourishment (21 Mm3) has been applied at the Delfland coast (NL) in the shape of a peninsula (crtl-click here for some nice pictures). This unprecedented experiment aims to protect the hinterland from flooding by letting natural processes distribute sand over shoreface, beach and dunes, thus constituting a climate-robust and environmentally friendly way of coastal protection. The key objective of the NatureCoast program is to raise our understanding and predictive capability regarding the various aspects of this type of shore nourishments, up to a level enabling to assess their effectiveness and to export the underlying technology worldwide. The overall scientific challenge lies in understanding and predictive modelling of the complex interplay of eco-morphological, hydrological and societal processes that govern the evolution, effects, feasibility and acceptability of mega-nourishment (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lzo1KDlqEU&feature=youtu.be). Hence this research program involves 12 research groups from different disciplines (program leader: Prof.dr.ir. M.J.F. Stive, TUD). I lead the Dune Formation subproject. This subproject aims at obtaining predictive understanding of both the impact of mega-nourishments on the spatio-temporal variability in aeolian sediment supply towards upper beach and dunes (PhD 1, at Univ. of Twente) and the key processes and conditions for making the transition from a bare beach to a vegetated dune, including associated landforms such as green beaches (PhD 2, at Wageningen UR). Funded by National Technology Foundation STW.

Aeolian and hydrodynamic sand exchange across the beach. (2013-2017): This project aims at understanding and modelling the sand exchange between the nearshore zone and the beach-dune system at a time scale of years to decades, on natural beaches. The exchange of sand between the nearshore zone and the beach-dune system occurs through both hydrodynamic and aeolian processes. Supply of sand from land to sea occurs mostly during storm surge erosion. Regarding the supply of sand from the sea to the land (accretion process), the intertidal beach is a crucial zone, because this is the area where sediments that are deposited by marine processes can be picked by wind to become part of the beach-dune system of the coast. The state of the intertidal beach is strongly tied to the nearshore morphodynamics, for instance through the development of ridge and runnel topography or rhythmic bars and beach topography. Knowledge development will focus on the accretionary component of the sand exchange. Argus video imagery of the intertidal beach collected at Egmond beach since 1998, are an important source of information for the analyses. Funded by: Conicyt (Comisión Nacional de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica). PhD involved: Leonardo Duarte Campos.

SEAWAD: Sediment supply at the Wadden Sea ebb-tidal Delta. From system knowledge to mega-nourishments(2016-2020): The Netherlands has chosen to protect its coast by means of soft adaptive solutions such as (mega) nourishments. As the Wadden Sea tidal basin is a net sediment importing system, several of its barrier island open coasts have to be nourished on a regular basis. This is exacerbated by the accelerated sea-level rise and subsidence and subsequently larger nourishment volumes are foreseen in the near future. One of the options considered is the possibility to put nourishments in the ebb-delta area, to more directly feed the tidal basins with sediment. However, the morphological and ecological impacts of such a large-scale intervention in a complex system as the ebb-tidal delta of the Wadden Sea are insufficiently known. This is all the more critical, as the anticipated mega-nourishments will be in the vicinity of the protected World Heritage area. Within SEAWAD, we develop the system knowledge and tools to predict the effects of mega-nourishments on morphology and ecology (benthos distribution). I am involved in the subproject Eco-dynamic design of nourishments as a co-supervisor of the PhD-research of Harriëtte Holzhauer in this topic. Funded by National Technology Foundation STW.

The Argus Program (ongoing): Video remote sensing of the beach and nearshore zone. The Argus program (http://cil-www.oce.orst.edu/), initiated at Oregon State University, aims at developing optical measurement approaches to exploit visible signatures of nearshore phenomena (hydrodynamics, morphology) with high resolution in space and time, using computer controlled video cameras. Video-stations are located at over 40 beaches around the globe. Data obtained are used to increase insight in the nearshore morphodynamic system. The Argus program is supported by an international research network of individuals and institutes who derive their funding from variable sources. Most recent project: Argus video imagery in support of aeolian transport studies (Nov 2011-May 2012). Exploratory study on mapping aeolian morphodynamics across an artificially created dune feature from Argus video imagery at Vlugtenburg beach (The Netherlands). Funded by ‘Ecoshape/Building with Nature’.

GIS-technology and the analysis and forecasting of change in the marine environment(2006-2010): research project within the framework of the BSIK-funded project We@Sea. PhD-student involved: Blanca Perez-Lapeña. PhD-thesis successfully defended April 2011. Thesis title: Detecting Seabird Displacement. A simulation based geostatistical approach.

Morphological development of the Banda Aceh Coast after the tsunami of December 26, 2004 (2004-2009). PhD-student involved: Ella Meilianda. (Note: I got involved in the project from October 2007 onwards). PhD-thesis successfully defended June 2009. Thesis title: Past, present and future morphological development of a tsunami affected coast. A case study of Banda Aceh.

Organizer symposium on ‘Building Coastal Dunes’ in symposium series of the Netherlands Centre of Coastal Research (NCK theme days), 2014.

Organizer NCKdays 2012, Enschede, The Netherlands. (Annual 2 day symposium of the Netherlands Centre of Coastal Research with additional 1-day field trip to Ems-Dollard estuary). http://nck-web.org/index.php/nck-days/nck-days-2012.html

Organizer and chairman of symposium on Coastal Dune Growth in symposium series of the Netherlands Centre of Coastal Research (NCK theme days), 2009.

Past courses

Design project ‘B3’ on the theme ‘Re-design of the Utrecht City Central Station area’, which includes the reopening of historic waterways. This project requires students to use and integrate their knowledge on ‘civil- and water engineering’ and ‘traffic and transportation sciences’ in a 4-6 person project team. Responsible for theme ‘water’. (BSc, University of Twente, 2013 + 2014).

Design project ‘B3’ on the theme ‘Olympic Games in Waterland the Netherlands’. This project requires students to use and integrate their knowledge on ‘civil- and water engineering’ and ‘traffic and transportation sciences’ in a 4-6 person project team. Responsible for theme ‘water’. (BSc, University of Twente, since 2011+2012).

Design project ‘B3’ on the theme ‘Living with the water’. This project required students to use and integrate their knowledge on ‘civil- and water engineering’ and ‘traffic and transportation sciences’ in a 4-6 person project team. Responsible for theme ‘water’. (BSc, University of Twente, 2006-2010)

Water (introductory course on water engineering) (BSc, University of Twente) (2004)